A party release on Monday said a delegation of panches and sarpanches from Jammu and Kashmir met Gandhi to thank him over the decision of the state government to incorporate important provisions of the 73rd constitutional amendment in the state's Panchayati Raj Act to empower elected village representatives.

The release said Gandhi had raised with Omar Abdullah-led government the demand of nearly 33,000 panches and sarpanches of the state for more power.

The Congress is part of the ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir headed by the National Conference.

Gandhi said that the work to empower panchayats has just begun and the Congress will give more power to them to strengthen democracy.

"The party wants to give more power to panchayats to empower people," he said.